Ngorongoro Karatu Area Parks and Reserves

Accommodation and park fees within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area can be high. Just 20 km out of the park lies the bustling town of Karatu, surrounded by beautiful coffee plantations. It is here that comfortable, affordable accommodation in spectacular settings can be found. The area has easy access to Ngorongoro, with its breath-taking scenery and teeming wildlife, especially at Ngorongoro Crater.

The bustling town of Karatu lies about 20 km south of the gate into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From the gate, it is less than 10 km to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. Surrounding the town are well-established coffee plantations and forests, providing a spectacular setting for a wide array of accommodation.

Many people opt to stay in this area rather than on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Accommodation on the crater – and daily park fees for staying in Ngorongoro – may not fit into everybody’s safari budget and the area outside the park offers up some beautiful, more affordable, alternatives.

Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater is up there on the Tanzanian ‘must see’ list. The biggest intact caldera (a ‘collapsed-in’ volcano) in the world, covering 260 km², this small area boasts an incredibly diverse array of habitats and huge numbers of animals, including the Big Five. This makes for incredible wildlife viewing opportunities.

Things to See and Do in the Ngorongoro Karatu Area

Visit nearby Ngorongoro Crater with its teeming wildlife

Spectacular walks both in and out of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Mountain biking

Guided treks in the area – number of days and difficulty to suit all fitness levels

Visits to local villages to learn about the customs and culture of the people

Walks around the coffee plantations discovering the origins of Tanzania’s famous coffees

When To Visit Ngorongoro

The wildlife living in the Ngorongoro crater itself are there all year, so from an animal-viewing point-of-view, it’s good all year. Due to its size, the area may get crowded during peak tourist season which is pretty much all year round. Major rains generally fall in April and May, which may make some roads unpassable, but this is the quietest season if you wish to avoid the crowds.

Getting There

By car: Karatu is about 150 km from Arusha by road. The trip generally takes just over two hours.

By air: There are daily flights from Arusha to Lake Manyara Airstrip. Arusha has two airports; Arusha Airport is the domestic option with daily flights from numerous local destinations. Kilimanjaro International Airport connects locally, inter-continentally and internationally.

Malaria is a consideration in Ngorongoro Karatu Area

Tour & Safari Options

The Ngorongoro Crater, a caldera or 'collapsed in' volcano, is world-renowned for its spectacular scenery and abundance of wildlife. You're almost certain to see all of the Big Five, a wide range of antelope, crocs, hippos, zebra and highly endangered black rhinos on a day trip into the crater. Ngorongoro is a favourite stop on most Tanzanian Northern Safari Circuit safaris and many opt to stay in one of the accommodation spots in the beautiful highland area around Karatu, just outside Ngorongoro.

Available Accommodation

Accommodation in Ngorongoro Karatu Area

Karatu is situated just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation area in the beautiful highlands, dotted with lush coffee plantations. The area offers visitors a wealth of activities, not least being game drives into the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater, with its spectacular scenery and huge concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five and the critically endangered black rhino.

Featured Accommodation

Ngorongoro Farm House

With easy access to the spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater, the Ngorongoro Farm House has cottages spread out through beautiful gardens and a coffee plantation in the Karatu area. It’s a working farm with an organic garden. Expect fresh, delicious food and the tantalising aroma of the farm’s own coffee beans – grown, picked, roasted, ground and enjoyed right there.

Featured Accommodation

Plantation Lodge

Set just 12 km from the entrance to Ngorongoro – with easy access to the spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater – Plantation Lodge is a perfect spot to lay your head. With a range of different rooms set in a tranquil garden on a coffee plantation, it’s hard not to relax here. Go game viewing in Ngorongoro, meet the local people, go for walks both in and around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area … the options are endless.

Featured Accommodation

Plantation Lodge

Set just 12 km from the entrance to Ngorongoro – with easy access to the spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater – Plantation Lodge is a perfect spot to lay your head. With a range of different rooms set in a tranquil garden on a coffee plantation, it’s hard not to relax here. Go game viewing in Ngorongoro, meet the local people, go for walks both in and around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area … the options are endless.

Featured Accommodation

Ngorongoro Farm House

With easy access to the spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater, the Ngorongoro Farm House has cottages spread out through beautiful gardens and a coffee plantation in the Karatu area. It’s a working farm with an organic garden. Expect fresh, delicious food and the tantalising aroma of the farm’s own coffee beans – grown, picked, roasted, ground and enjoyed right there.